VfB Stuttgart v Celtic – Sinisalo deserves this chance | OneFootball

Viljami Sinisalo has been given the gloves for Celtic’s Europa League dead rubber in Stuttgart this evening (kick-off is at 5.45pm) and the Finnish keeper now has a tremendous opportunity to establish himself as the first pick goalie at Celtic…

It’s no secret that Kasper Schmeichel has been struggling in recent weeks and appears to be protecting his left shoulder, as we saw at Rugby Park for Kilmarnock’s second goal. VfB Stuttgart seemed to notice this and were rewarded when a few speculative and certainly saveable efforts found the back of the Celtic net.

Had Kasper retained the gloves this evening further tests would follow. With his participation at the World Cup a priority for Celtic’s Great Dane, it’s imperative that he finds his best form quickly but that only comes when there are no fitness concerns. Maybe a rest will do him good and outside of Sinisalo putting in a brilliant performance it’s likely that Schmeichel will get the gloves back fairly quickly.

Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic looks dejected during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic FC and VfB Stuttgart at Celtic Park on February 19, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

Kasper is in my view clearly hampered by an injury concern, related to a well documented problem in his left shoulder, something that’s been evident for quite some time. Efforts that should be meat and drink for a keeper of Kasper’s quality are being conceded. His throwing ability is restricted because of his shoulder, and his distribution, ironically what was his main attribute when he signed, is now sporadic and a real cause for concern, meaning he’s the proverbial weak link in our side at the moment.

Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo after Daniels Balodis of St Johnstone scored to give St Johnstone a 1-0 lead. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, , McDiarmid Park, Perth, 06 April 2025: Photo Stuart Wallace/IMAGO Shutterstock

In my opinion Viljami Sinisalo deserves to be starting over the Dane this evening against VfB Stuttgart. especially with a tough trip to Ibrox looming on Sunday. Pitting the Finn in against the Bundesliga side will give him some great confidence and experience with a view of starting in Govan on Sunday afternoon. It’s all in Viljami’s hands, he now has the gloves and he must show Martin O’Neill that his decision to change keepers this evening was correct.

Celtic v Hearts, Scottish Premiership 29/03/2025. Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo during the match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park, on 29 March 2025. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie/PSI

Sinisalo is not an inexperienced keeper by any means. He’s a Finnish international after all, and he’s already played in some big games during his time in Glasgow, including an appearance at Ibrox in a 1-1 draw last season.

The six times capped 24 year old, is capable, he’s keen and eager to impress. Handing him the gloves from now on in will only be of benefit to the side if he can show the manager he’s worthy of a run of games.

Over to you Viljami, a clean sheet this evening please!

The teams this evening are as follows:

VfB Stuttgart (4-2-3-1): Nübel – Vagnoman, Jeltsch, Jaquez, Mittelstädt – Karazor, Andrés – Tomás, Bouanani, Leweling – Undav.

Celtic (4-3-3): Sinisalo – Donovan, Trusty, Murray, Saracchi – McCowan, McGregor, Hatate – Hyun-Jun, Adamu, Maeda.

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